One of the clubs that's trying to bust a move is the Mariners. Seattle has eyes (still) for Rays ace David Price, but now he reportedly is a lower priority. Instead, the M's are thought to be more focused on Price's teammate Ben Zobrist as they try to goose the offense.

Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi, followed by CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman, reported Thursday the sides are talking (and talking, and talking). No idea for sure who would be coming back to Tampa Bay in the deal, although speculation is that Mariners minor league infielder Nick Franklin (still) is in play. He was in play last winter, too. Yeah, we've heard all this.

Anyway, Zobrist 's best fit in Seattle would be in the outfield. He could fill in for injured right fielder Michael Saunders (oblique), or eventually set off a shift that would force unproductive left fielder Dustin Ackley to the bench. Zobrist also could spell unproductive Brad Miller at shortstop.

Regardless of his position, the switch-hitting Zobrist (.266/.352/.401) would, in theory, make Seattle's offense better. So would other outfield sticks such as the Phillies' Marlon Byrd (who can veto a deal) and the White Sox's Dayan Viciedo. Both reportedly are on the Mariners' radar, as well.

In the end, though, the Mariners' focus should be on Price, even if he's opposed to playing for them long term. A Felix Hernandez-Price-Hisashi-Iwakuma trio would stack up extremely well against the AL's top starting trios in 2014 and, presumably, in 2015, Price's walk year.

Seattle should desire a high-end 28-year-old left-hander who has been successful in the postseason more than a 33-year-old utilityman who would provide a modest offensive upgrade. Leaks about Zobrist being the higher priority feel like . . . misdirection. If true, though, the thought process is misguided, especially from an organization that wants to make bigger moves than that.